National News
NAPTIP, Others to Introduce Template for Reporting Trafficking in Persons

NAPTIP, Others to Introduce Template for Reporting Trafficking in Persons
By: Michael Mike
National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), and it’s partners, have introduced a Standard Reporting Handbook for Journalists covering human trafficking cases in Nigeria.
Director General, (NAPTIP), Professor Fatima Waziri-Azi, said the reporting handbook would go a long way to guide journalists on how to properly report issues surrounding Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, (TIPSOM).
The DG made this known at a two-day Validation and Technical Finalization Workshop on Standard Reporting Handbook for Journalists and members of the Trafficking in Persons Media Corps, organised by NAPTIP in partnership with Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants, (A-TIPSOM) and the European Union, (EU) on Tuesday in Keffi, Nasarawa state.
Waziri-Azi said: “The reporting template came because of an enunciation of the United Nations urging the use of specific words, language and registers that apply to trafficking in persons and if you don’t use them in your reportage, other choice of words will not serve the purpose and may actually denigrate a victim causing another round of stigma.
“The terms highlighted in the reporting template did not come from NAPTIP, those terms are domiciled in the UN conventions and the importance of using those templates in our reportage is that they are deemed appropriate to speak to the issue.”
Waziri-Azi who was represented at the workshop by the Director Training and Manpower Development, NAPTIP, Arinze Orakwue, explained that the need for a reporting template stems from the fact that there are unique registers and terms that are approved to be used appropriately in reporting cases of trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants.
She said: “The validation workshop can help us bridge the gap and validate the standard operating document.
Team Leader, A-TIPSOM, Federico Millan, noted that the reporting template is an important tool in the fight against trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants as it represents the core existence of the A-TIPSOM, project implemented by the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies, (GIIAP).
Represented by Segun Sanwo at the event, he said: “The way and manner cases of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants is being reported, must ensure that victims are adequately protected in the course of reportage of the issues.”
Speaking on the impact of effective reportage of cases of trafficking in persons on victims, the Director, Research and Programme Development, NAPTIP, Josiah Emerole, urged journalists to report the issues using approved terminologies in a professional manner.
He charged that: “Reports must be done in ways that will not further traumatize victims. The previous worships we have held have resulted in effective reportage and as a result of these trainings, a standard reporting document has been born.”
NAPTIP, Others to Introduce Template for Reporting Trafficking in Persons
National News
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge

Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
By: Zagazola Makama
The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the sudden death of an unidentified man who collapsed and died at Government House Lodge, Minna. Zagazola learnt that the incident occurred on Friday, Aug. 2, 2025.
Sources said that the deceased had visited House No. 8, Government House Lodge, in an attempt to see Mr. Sammy, Chairman of Niger Foods. However, upon meeting his host’s absence, the man suddenly took ill.
Medical doctors were reportedly contacted from the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, for urgent attention. Unfortunately, by the time the doctor arrived, the man had already passed away.
Following the report, a team of police operatives from GRA Division visited the scene. The body was photographed and evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital Mortuary for autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Unidentified visitor dies suddenly at Niger Government House Lodge
National News
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027

Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
By Amina Ahmed Dankawuwa
The Senator representing Bauchi South at the national assembly, Senator Shehu Buba Umar has accepted the calls by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial District to contest for Governorship come 2027.
The Director General of the campaign for the actualisation of Sen Buba’s Gubernatorial ambition, Alhaji Muhammad Sade (Usman) accepted the calls on behalf of the Senator during a town hall meeting held on Saturday by the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi North Senatorial in Azare.
He appealed to members of APC to maintain peace with all other aspirants within the party.
“Let’s respect other aspirants, such that anybody who win the primary election can have will be assisted by others, so we must value and respect each other”, he reasoned.
Muhammad Sade also called on party members to commence looking for delegates for ahead of the party primaries.
“It is now that we have to look for those that have votes. I call on our esteemed supporters to start mobilizing for delegate”, he emphasized.
He also advised social media handlers (citizens journalist) to avoid creating problems for personal gain, adding that social media some times create a lot of problem within and out side the party endorsed Senator representing Bauchi South, Senator Shehu Buba Umar for Bauchi Governor come 2027.
Baushe Daily Times reports that members of the APC gathered in thousands during the meeting in Azare during which they unanimously agreed to support Senator Shehu Buba for Governor come 2027.
Earlier in a welcoming address, former majority leader in the Bauchi state house of assembly, Hon Tijjani Mohammed Aliyu, the choice to support Sen Shehu buba Umar’s Governorship ambition was due to his concern and care he has for the people of Bauchi state.
“He respects us, he values our people politically and he also call on party members to respect each other because politics shouldn’t be considered as a do or die affair”, he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Bashir Bukar Rimin Zayam charged the youth to cast their votes for the youth only and avoid voting older politicians who will always be going abroad for medical attention.
He therefore, appealed to members of APC to mobilised people to support Sen Shehu Buba for Governor.
Among those who attended the town hall meeting include state assembly member Azare/Madangala Hon Zakariyya sale maigero, comr sabo Mohammed S A to Sen Shehu Buba on media and communication, Hon kasuwa Shehu Damana, Hon Adamu Fanta Misau, Hon maiwada Misau,Hon Mohammed Hassan, Barr Muktar Umar, Alhaji Nura Adamu among others.
Bauchi Guber: Sen Buba accepts calls by Bauchi North APC members to contest in 2027
National News
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy

NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has condemned in strong terms the closure of Badeggi Radio in Niger State by the State Governor Mohammed Bago, discribing it as not only a suppression of press freedom but an affront to democracy.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission Dr Tony Ojukwu, condemned the action while reacting to the ugly incident. He said the governor’s decision to shut down the radio station without following due process is disappointing and a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ojukwu noted that the consequences of suppressing press freedom are far-reaching and can lead to increased government opacity, reduced citizen participation, creat obstacles to accountability, and weakening of democratic institutions.
He said: “The arbitrary shutdown of media outlets undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy.”
He called on Governor Bago to immediately unseal the Radio Station and allow it to resume full operations, asking him to channel issues concerning any alleged unconstitutional operations of the Radio Station to the appropriate authority and not act with impunity.
He said: “This is both a moral imperative and a democratic requirement.”
Ojukwu who is also the president of the Network of National Human Rights Institutions in West Africa ( NNHRI-WA) urged the governments to protect journalists and media freedom, foster a culture of tolerance, and support independent media. “Journalists must be able to operate without fear of harassment, intimidation, or violence,” He emphasized.
He lamented that the media has severally come under attack in various forms, a situation he termed as unacceptable in a civilized society.
He called on the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to be firm in carrying out its Statutory mandate which must not be abused at any slight opportunity.
He used the opportunity to ask media practitioners to be professional at all times in order to prevent needless censorship by political office holders.
He also called on Nigerian Guild of Editors to provide professional guidance at regular intervals as this will curb the use of hate speech, fake news and other unprofessional conducts capable of adversely affecting the media houses.
He insisted that the Commission remains committed to promoting and protecting human rights in Nigeria and would continue to monitor the situation closely.
NHRC: Closure of Badeggi Radio, A Suppression of Press Freedom, Affront to Democracy
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